Modular handguard for firearm

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a modular handguard for a firearm which allows a portion of the length of the handguard to be quickly and easily added or removed. The improved modular handguard of the present invention has a base which attaches to the barrel nut of the firearm. An extension slidably mates with the base such that the longitudinal bores of the base and the extension are generally aligned. A latch removably connects the base and the extension.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

I herby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(c)of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/148,442 filed Feb. 11, 2021.The 63/148,442 application is hereby incorporated by reference into thisapplication.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices used to shield hightemperature surfaces associated with firearms to reduce risk of injuryto the user, and more particularly but without limitation, to handguardsfor firearms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The handguard, also known as a “rail,” is one of the most importantparts of an AR-15 or AR-10 type firearm. When such firearms are fired,the barrel can become extremely hot and can burn skin or destroyclothing if touched. Handguards surround at least a portion of thebarrel and allow the firearm to be griped or touched without risk ofinjury.

Handguards exist in the prior art of various length and these handguardscan be removed and changed by the user for different applications.However, the process of changing handguards on a given firearm issomewhat time consuming and inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a modular handguard for a firearm whichallows a portion of the length of the handguard to be quickly and easilyremoved. The improved modular handguard of the present inventioncomprises: (1) a base having first and second ends and an openlongitudinal bore, wherein the first end of the base attaches to thebarrel nut of the firearm; (2) an extension having first and second endsand an open longitudinal bore, wherein the first end of the extensionslidably mates with second end of the base such that the longitudinalbores of the base and the extension are generally aligned; and (3) alatch for removably connecting the base and the extension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a partof the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the presentinvention and, together with this description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention. The drawings merely illustrate preferredembodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting thescope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handguard constructed in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the handguard embodiment of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the extension shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the extension shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is top view of the extension shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the extension shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the extension shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the extension shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the base shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is top view of the base shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the base shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the base shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the base shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pivot arm for the handguard shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the pivot arm for the handguard shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is perspective view of the channel member for the handguardshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the base of a second embodiment of ahandguard constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side view of opposing sides of the pivot arm for thehandguard shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of extension for the handguard shown inFIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the base of a third embodiment of ahandguard constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the extension for the handguard shownin FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is perspective view of the pivot arm for the embodiment shown inFIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings generally and specifically to FIGS. 1 and2, shown is one embodiment of the modular handguard 10 of the presentinvention. Handguard 10 includes three primary components, a base 12, anextension 14, and a latch 16. The base 12 has first and second ends 18,20 and an open longitudinal bore 22 through which the barrel of thefirearm (not shown) is received. The first end 18 of the base 12 ismounted to the barrel nut (not shown) of the firearm using conventionaltechniques, as will be discussed further below. Extension 20 removablyattaches to base 12.

The base 12 has one or more grooves 24 formed into the interior of thebase 12. As used herein, the term “grooves” 24 refers to grooves,channels or other similar structures. The grooves 24 are generallyoriented parallel to the longitudinal axis 26 of the handguard 10. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3-7, one or more ridges 28 or raised portions thatare formed on the outside of the extension 14 and generally orientedparallel to the longitudinal axis 26 of the extension. The grooves 24and ridges 28 are designed to provide a suitably stable mating of thebase 12 and extension 14 as the two components are slidably mated. Thelatch 16 removably secures the base 12 and extension 14 together.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8-12, the base 12 has three grooves 24 forreceiving three ridges 28 formed on the extension 14. In thisembodiment, the latch 16 is spring-biased and consists of a pivot pin30, a pivot arm 32, and a spring 34. Although the present embodimentshows latch 16 disposed on base 12, persons skilled in the art willunderstand that latch 12 could be disposed on extension 14 inalternative embodiments. The pivot arm 32 is mounted on the pivot pin 30which is positioned in pin bores 36 located on the base 12. As bestshown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the pivot arm 32 has an elongated body 38 withfirst and second ends 40, 42 and an intermediate pin hole 44. The pivotarm 32 also includes an inwardly protruding catch 46 on its first end 40and preferably includes an outward facing button 48 on its second end42. A spring recess 50 is formed on the inwardly facing side of thesecond end 42 opposite button 48. Spring 34 sets in spring recess 50 andextends to and is captured by a corresponding recess in base 12.

The spring 34 biases the pivot arm 32 toward a closed position whichcauses first end 40 of pivot arm 32 to pivot inwardly and causes catch46 to project through an opening (not numbered) in base 12 to engage alocking channel 52 (see FIGS. 2 and 15) on extension 14, thereby lockingbase 12 and extension 14 together. When a user presses button 48 onpivot arm 32 with sufficient force to compress spring 34, the pressingforce biases pivot arm 32 to the open position and allows base 12 andextension 14 to be separated. This allows extension 14 to be quickly andeasily removed from the firearm.

Although locking channel 52 is show in the drawings as being formed in aseparate channel member 54 which is attached to extension 14 with screws56, persons skilled in the art will understand that locking channel 52may be an integral part of extension 14. As used herein, “lockingchannel” shall mean any suitable for structure for receiving catch 46 ina manner sufficient to satisfy the latching function, including withoutlimitation a bore, hole, recess, indentation or the like.

In some embodiments, base 12 will include two latches 16, one on eachside of base 12. In such embodiments, extension 14 will have twocorresponding locking channels 52. This will allow for a secureconnection between base 12 and extension 14, which can be easilyreleased by pressing buttons 48 on latches 16 to allow removal of theextension 14 from base 12.

In some embodiments, base 12 will include a ramp portion 58, which maybe integrated into the channel member 54 or ridge 28. When base 12 andextension 14 are slidably joined together, catch 46 will engage rampportion 58 and progressively bias the second end 42 of pivot arm 32outwardly until catch 46 encounters locking channel 52. Catch 46 willthen pivot inwardly and snap into locking channel 52, securing theextension 14 to base 12.

Turning to FIGS. 10 and 11, the base 12 of the present embodimentincludes a clamp 60 for fastening base 12 with screws or bolts (notshown) onto the barrel nut of a firearm in conventional manner. Althoughthe present embodiment shows a clamp 60 for attachment to the firearm itshould be understood that any suitable means for attaching the base 12to the firearm may be employed, all of which are considered within thescope of the present invention.

FIGS. 16-18 depict a second embodiment of the present invention. Base212 has three grooves 224 for receiving three corresponding ridges 228of extension 214. Latches 216 are pivotally mounted in the grooves 224for engaging the ridges 228 in the base 212 and locking extension 214into place. Preferably, the latches 216 are pivotally mounted usingpivot pins 230. In this embodiment, the springs 234 are configuredaround pivot pins 230 in such a manner as to bias the pivot arm 232 tothe closed position. Each of the latches 216 includes a button 248 whichshows the user where to press to release the latch 216. The latches 216also include a catch 246 which mates with a corresponding lockingchannel 252 (in this case a slot) in the extension 14 when the latch 216is in the closed position to secure the extension 214 to the base 212.

To mount the extension 214 to the base 212, the user aligns the ridges228 of the extension 214 with the grooves 224 of the base 212, pressesthe buttons 248 on latches 216 and then slides extension 214 into base212, releasing the buttons 248 on latches 216 to secure the two piecestogether. To remove the extension 214 from the base 212, the user againpresses the buttons 248 to release the latches 216 and then slides theextension 214 out of the base 212. In this manner, the extension 214 canbe quickly and easily mounted to or removed from base 212 withoutextensive, time-consuming reworking of the firearm.

FIGS. 19-21 depict a third embodiment of the present invention. Base 312has one or more grooves 324 for receiving one or more ridges 328 of theextension 314. In this embodiment, a latch 316 is pivotally mounted ingroove 324 for engaging ridge 328 on base 312 and locking the extension314 into place. Preferably, latch 316 is pivotally mounted using a pivotpin 330 and is spring biased. The latch 316 includes a button portion348 which shows the user where to press to release latch 316. Latch 316also includes a catch 346 (in this case a tooth) which mates with acorresponding locking channel 352 in extension 314 when in the closedposition to secure the extension 314 to the base 312. Preferably, ridge324 includes a ramp portion 358 which engages the catch 346 and allowslatch 316 to be forced to the open position while the extension 314 isbeing slid into the base 312. Once the extension 314 is all the way intobase 312, locking channel 352 allows latch 316 to snap into place,locking the extension 314 to the base 312.

To mount the extension 314 to the base 312, the user aligns ridge 324 ofextension 314 with groove 314 of base 312, presses the button portion348 of latch 316 and then slides extension 314 into the base 312,releasing latch 316 to secure the two pieces together. To remove theextension 314 from the base 312, the user again presses button 348 torelease latch 316 and then slides extension 314 out of base 312. In thismanner, extension 314 can be quickly and easily mounted to base 312without extensive, time-consuming reworking of the firearm.

The embodiments shown and described above are exemplary. Many detailsare often found in the art and, therefore, many such details are neithershown nor described herein. It is not claimed that all of the details,parts, elements, or steps described and shown were invented herein. Eventhough numerous characteristics and advantages of the present inventionshave been described in the drawings and accompanying text, thedescription is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details,especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of the partswithin the principles of the inventions to the full extent indicated bythe broad meaning of the terms of the attached claims. The descriptionand drawings of the specific embodiments herein do not point out what aninfringement of this patent would be, but rather provide an example ofhow to use and make the invention. Likewise, the abstract is neitherintended to define the invention, which is measured by the claims, noris it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in anyway. Rather, the limits of the invention and the bounds of the patentprotection are measured by and defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A handguard for a firearm having a barrel nut,comprising: a base having first and second ends and an open longitudinalbore, wherein the first end of the base attaches to the barrel nut ofthe firearm; an extension having first and second ends and an openlongitudinal bore, wherein the first end of the extension slidably mateswith second end of the base such that the longitudinal bores of the baseand the extension are generally aligned; a latch for removablyconnecting the base and the extension.
 2. The handguard of claim 1wherein the base has pin bores and wherein the latch is a spring-biasedlatch and comprises: a pivot pin positioned in the pin bores of thebase; a pivot arm mounted on the pivot pin, wherein the pivot arm has anopen position and a closed position; and a spring for biasing the pivotarm to the closed position.
 3. The handguard of claim 2 wherein thepivot arm comprises: an elongated body having first and second ends andhaving a hole located between the first and second ends to receive thepivot pin; and an inwardly protruding catch on the second end of theelongated body.
 4. The handguard of claim 3 wherein the extension has alocking channel and wherein the catch lockingly engages the lockingchannel when the pivot arm is in the closed position and the catchdisengages the locking channel when the pivot arm is in the openposition.
 5. The handguard of claim 4 wherein the base and the extensioncan be slidably separated when the pivot arm is in the open position andcannot be separated when the pivot arm is in the closed position.
 6. Thehandguard of claim 5 wherein the base includes a groove formed on theinterior of the base and wherein the extension includes a ridge that isslidably received in the groove when the base and the extension areslidably mated.
 7. A handguard for a firearm having a barrel nut,comprising: a base having first and second ends and an open longitudinalbore, wherein the first end of the base attaches to the barrel nut ofthe firearm; an extension having first and second ends and an openlongitudinal bore, wherein the first end of the extension slidably mateswith second end of the base such that the longitudinal bores of the baseand the extension are generally aligned; a spring-biased latch forremovably connecting the base and the extension.
 8. The handguard ofclaim 7 wherein the base has pin bores and wherein the latch comprises:a pivot pin positioned in the pin bores of the base; a pivot arm mountedon the pivot pin, wherein the pivot arm has an open position and aclosed position; and a spring for biasing the pivot arm to the closedposition.
 9. The handguard of claim 8 wherein the pivot arm comprises:an elongated body having first and second ends and having a hole locatedbetween the first and second ends to receive the pivot pin; and aninwardly protruding catch on the second end of the elongated body. 10.The handguard of claim 9 wherein the extension has a locking channel andwherein the catch lockingly engages the locking channel when the pivotarm is in the closed position and the catch disengages the lockingchannel when the pivot arm is in the open position.
 11. The handguard ofclaim 10 wherein the base and the extension can be slidably separatedwhen the pivot arm is in the open position and cannot be separated whenthe pivot arm is in the closed position.
 12. The handguard of claim 11wherein the base includes a groove formed on the interior of the baseand wherein the extension includes a ridge that is slidably received inthe groove when the base and the extension are slidably mated.
 13. Ahandguard for a firearm having a barrel nut, comprising: a base havingfirst and second ends and an open longitudinal bore, wherein the firstend of the base attaches to the barrel nut of the firearm; an extensionhaving first and second ends and an open longitudinal bore, wherein thefirst end of the extension slidably mates with second end of the basesuch that the longitudinal bores of the base and the extension aregenerally aligned; a latch attached to the base for removably connectingthe base and the extension.
 14. The handguard of claim 13 wherein thelatch is a spring-biased latch and comprises: a pivot pin; a pivot armmounted on the pivot pin, wherein the pivot arm has an open position anda closed position; and a spring for biasing the pivot arm to the closedposition.
 15. The handguard of claim 14 wherein the pivot arm comprises:an elongated body having first and second ends and having a hole locatedbetween the first and second ends to receive the pivot pin; and aninwardly protruding catch on the second end of the elongated body. 16.The handguard of claim 15 wherein the extension has a locking channeland wherein the catch lockingly engages the locking channel when thepivot arm is in the closed position and the catch disengages the lockingchannel when the pivot arm is in the open position.
 17. The handguard ofclaim 14 wherein the base and the extension can be slidably separatedwhen the pivot arm is in the open position and cannot be separated whenthe pivot arm is in the closed position.
 18. The handguard of claim 13wherein the base includes a groove formed on the interior of the baseand wherein the extension includes a ridge that is slidably received inthe groove when the base and the extension are slidably mated.